Mamadou Sarr¹, Dialo Diop^1,, Abel Sambou¹, Massaer Marone², Ndolane Diouf¹, Kharouna Talla¹, Aboubaker Chèdikh Beye¹

Most telecommunications systems now utilize Fiber To The Home (FTTH) networks based on Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) due to its flexibility in managing technologies and services for future expansion. Within this FTTH network, significant challenges are encountered in deployment within inaccessible areas or maintenance within construction sites. Therefore, this article aims to develop a proactive technique for deploying and maintaining the FTTH network in inaccessible areas or construction sites such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Dakar, Senegal. The approach involves replacing severed wired sections with Free Space Optical (FSO) communication. The integration of a hybrid FTTH-FSO system is considered one of the most significant technologies to meet these requirements. This study first models the FTTH network using OptiSystem software before replacing the affected wired sections with a minimum of free-space optical connections. The study evaluates the network's performance from Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of replacing a 144-fiber optical cable with 12 FSO links (12FO/FSO Antenna) over a distance of 680 meters with a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 7.85837 x 10^-10. Furthermore, for shorter distances up to 480 meters, 4 FSO links (36FO/FSO Antenna) suffice to replace the cable with a BER of 2.90502 x 10^-10. Finally, this study also reveals that, for distances up to 1200 meters, a single optical fiber can be employed per wireless optical link, necessitating 144 antennas to replace the 144-fiber optical cable.

FTTH, GPON, FTTH-FSO hybrid, Sonatel, deployment and preventive maintenance